Overview
ISO 5473:1997 specifies a laboratory test method for determining the crush resistance of rubber- or plastics-coated fabrics. The method is particularly suited to diaphragm material cut from coated fabrics and measures the force required to compress (crush) the coated surface and textile support under a controlled load and area. The standard defines test specimen dimensions, apparatus (base plate and button/pressing plate), test speed and recording accuracy, conditioning, and reporting requirements.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Test principle: Apply a controlled compressive load through a defined button area until the coating or textile support is crushed; record the force at failure.
- Specimens: Cut from the useful width (per ISO 2286-1); minimum dimensions 50 mm wide × 200 mm long; at least three test values per sample.
- Apparatus:
- Base plate and button (pressing) plate with dimensions shown in the standard figures.
- Compression machine with a compression speed ≈ 0.08 mm/s.
- Compression capacity of the machine must be at least 5 400 N.
- Force recording device with a calibrated dial or recorder; measurement error ≤ 2% for forces ≤200 N and ≤ 1% for forces >200 N.
- Test procedure:
- Place specimen on base plate; if faces differ, face with thicker coating upwards.
- Locate pressing button so its hollowed face contacts the specimen; button edge must be ≥ 12 mm from specimen edges and from other test positions.
- Apply load at the specified speed until shear yield or maximum dial deviation is reached; repeat at least twice on other locations of the specimen.
- Crush detection can be verified by manual stretching-damaged areas show reduced tensile resistance.
- Conditioning and aging:
- Minimum time between manufacture and test: 16 hours.
- For manufactured articles, perform tests within 3 months where possible; for customer-received items, preferably within 2 months.
- Condition specimens in atmospheres A, B or C as defined in ISO 2231.
- Test report must include reference to ISO 5473, sample IDs and manufacturing dates (if known), conditioning atmosphere, number of specimens, and the crush force for each test.
Applications
- Quality control and acceptance testing for rubber- or plastics-coated fabrics, especially materials used as diaphragms or membranes.
- Material selection and comparative testing during product development and manufacturing of coated textiles.
- Specification verification for suppliers and purchasers of coated fabrics where resistance to mechanical compression is critical.
Who uses this standard
- Textile and coated-fabric manufacturers
- Materials testing laboratories and QA/QC departments
- Product engineers and R&D teams working on membranes, diaphragms and coated textile components
- Procurement specialists specifying performance requirements
Related standards
- ISO 2231:1989 - conditioning atmospheres for coated textiles
- ISO 2286-1 - determination of roll dimensions and useful width (referenced for specimen width)